Matthew Arnold Primary School, Liverpool
Data last updated 11 Sept 2026
Location
Estimated admission likelihood based on school density and oversubscription data
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Overall
Ofsted Insights
What This School Does Well
Matthew Arnold Primary School excels at teaching reading with rich, varied texts that help children learn about different cultures and experiences. The school is genuinely ambitious for all pupils, including those with additional needs, and creates a caring environment where children feel happy and safe. Staff skilfully support children's emotional development and independence through activities like residential trips and the 'Matthew Arnold Way' behaviour framework.
Key Strengths
- Reading is well-taught with pupils reading enthusiastically and texts carefully selected to promote diversity and equality
- Early years staff skilfully develop children's communication, language and vocabulary through play
- The school effectively identifies pupils with SEND early and supports them to become confident and independent individuals
- Strong personal, social and health education helps pupils become well-rounded citizens with knowledge of healthy lifestyles and online safety
- Clear behaviour expectations (the 'Matthew Arnold Way') help pupils manage emotions and become more resilient
Areas for Improvement
- Teachers' assessment strategies in some subjects (particularly writing) do not consistently identify gaps in learning, so pupils don't build knowledge well over time
- Adaptations for pupils with SEND are not always effective at helping them access the intended curriculum
- Attendance systems have improved overall but are not effective enough for the small number of persistently absent pupils
- Some staff have concerns about workload and well-being despite school efforts to address this
Safeguarding
Safeguarding arrangements are effective with school demonstrating commitment to pupil welfare and maintaining proper safeguarding procedures.
Extracurricular Activities
Choir, football, computing, ukulele lessons, residential trips
Matthew Arnold Primary School is a primary school in Liverpool where pupils are happy and safe, with positive relationships with teachers. However, evidence suggests some aspects of the school's work may not be as strong as at the previous inspection.
At a Glance
64.7%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
Yes
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
SLCN - Speech, language and Communication
SEN Provision
No
Special Measures
What Parents Think
25 responsesSource: Ofsted Parent View - % who strongly agree or agree
Primary Performance (KS2)
Academic year 2025/26KS2 Results (% meeting expected standard)
Reading has improved from 68% to 72%. Maths has declined from 79% to 69%. Writing has improved from 57% to 62%.
Class Sizes
28.4
Avg class size
29.7
Infant (KS1)
28.8
KS2
8
Total classes
2024/25 academic year
Getting There
Train Stations
Bus Stops
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Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
138%
Over capacity
276 pupils
200 capacity
76 places over capacity
Area Demand Pressure - Liverpool
Based on MHCLG housing supply data for Liverpool
Admissions Demand - Liverpool
Places available
6,140
Applications
4,934
Got 1st preference
89.7%
Got preferred school
97.4%
Primary admissions across Liverpool (2025/26)
Inspection History(108)
House Prices
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SEN Provision
How many pupils have special educational needs, what types of support the school provides, and how it compares to similar schools.
Pupil Demographics
The school's pupil mix - ethnicity breakdown, free school meals eligibility, and English as an additional language. Useful context when evaluating school fit.
Teachers & Staff
Teacher qualification rates, pupil-to-teacher ratio, staff turnover, and salary data. Shows how well-resourced and stable the school's workforce is.
School Funding
Annual funding per pupil, total budget, pupil premium grants, and how the school's resources compare to similar schools nationally.
Pupil Absence2024/25
6.5135%
Overall absence
19.33702%
Persistent absence
181
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
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Secondary Schools Nearby
Secondary schools pupils are likely to move to
Matthew Arnold Primary School
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